U.S. Revolution In Armenia

HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 11:23:47 – 15/06/2012

In the context of the internecine fight, interesting things are
happening in the economy of Armenia. Particularly, the U.S. is more
active. An economic conference was organized by the U.S. embassy to
Armenia on the lack of competition in the Armenian economic field and
the search for solutions.

U.S. Ambassador John Heffern said in case of a predictable tax and
customs system and rule of law in Armenia U.S. companies will invest
in Armenia.

What investments does he mean? Let’s imagine for a while that the
Armenian government has the necessary will to create a competitive
economy and rule of law.

In this sense, one should recall one of Tigran Sargsyan’s interviews
several years ago when he stated that Armenia cannot compete with
China or India in light industry but Armenia’s economic vision is
closer to the U.S. economy which is built on a science-based and
technological production.

In the case of Armenia, this prospect seems ambitious. But the
situation may change if the U.S. and Armenia become real partners in
this sphere. Armenia’s economy may really change if the government is
willing to carry out rapid changes to enable American companies to
invest in IT in Armenia.

For this purpose, this sphere needs to be open. It needs a policy that
will be free from clan thinking, quotas, it needs equal opportunities
and competition for the Armenian IT companies, it needs free
environment where they can compete in establishing relations with
influential foreign partners.

They are thinking about establishing an IT ministry in Armenia. What
will this give besides additional burden for taxpayers? This ministry
will hardly bring more to the state than what the ministry of the
Diaspora has brought which is just a successful `travel agency’.

Instead of establishing a new ministry it would be better to have the
`old’ ones work as they are competent enough to regulate any sphere,
in particular IT.

In this situation, the U.S. economic prospect for Armenia is not a
boastful or ridiculous ambition but a realistic scenario. Moreover,
the U.S. seems willing to support it.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress